11:22 PM,
Aug. 13, 2013

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On the heels of a seven-day trip to Israel, Rep. Raul Ruiz on Tuesday called on Congress to consider ways to "strengthen the hand" of Secretary of State John Kerry and bolster his "ability to bring the parties together."

The Palm Desert Democrat expressed support for a "multifaceted approach" to ending the decades-long conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, and suggested additional sanctions may be needed to ensure Iran does not get nuclear weapons.

"I really come home with an understanding that Israel is a vulnerable land with a secure people," Ruiz said in an exclusive interview ...